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FASHION WORLD
Modeling Book Credits Pageantry as Industry Leader
Model Scoop & Acting Info, the newly published title of modeling and talent consultant and Pageantry correspondent Eve Matheson, puts a wealth of useful advice at the reader’s fingertips and is a must-have for up-and-coming models. One of its major points is the interconnectedness between modeling and acting professions and other beauty industries, such as pageants and other competitions. Here is an excerpt from the book that draws a link between beauty, modeling, and pageant success and Pageantry magazine:
The pageant business encompasses the globe. The interest in these events and the number of people who take part in them in this country is staggering. Pageants range from the local mall or fair event all the way up to the Miss America, Miss U.S.A. and Miss Universe extravaganzas. The can offer career opportunities and prize money.
Pageantry magazine is the "bible" of this industry. Aside from pageants, it covers fashion, talent and modeling and related industries. The pages are crammed with invaluable information. The publication has always been a family owned and run business. Carl Dunn started it in 1980, in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. His brother Charles joined the company nine years later. For many years Charles' wife Betty, has handled financial and administration affairs; his son Carl who was named after the founder, is the CEO and national marketing director. Carl told me: "It really is a family affair. We are all on the same page and know where the magazine is going in the future. Today it is more diversified, more cosmopolitan and has a general readership."
All of the staff at the magazine, including those who are not family members, are charming, talented and energized. There is great team spirit at the PAGEANTRY headquarters, which today is located in Central Florida.
I talked with CEO Carl Dunn at an International Modeling and talent Convention in New York and asked him what had brought him to that particular event. He told me: "PAGEANTRY magazine is probably the biggest supporter of the modeling industry. There is definitely a crossover between pageant, modeling and talent competitions. I am here looking for models to use in our fashion showcase. I know that the young people who attend this convention are well prepared and focused. They are high achievers otherwise they wouldn't be here. That is the type of model I am looking for. We draw the clothes from major fashion houses and these models will add elegance to the gowns. They will also receive tear sheets from the fashion shoot six months before it hits the newsstand."
We discussed the differences between modeling and pageant events. Carl said: "In pageantry, a lot more emphasis is placed on the contestant's ability to speak in public. We look for the young person's commitment to physical fitness. We look for more symmetry. The modeling industry has a different look. The walk is very important. But there is a huge crossover between the modeling and pageant industries."
Discussing other positive aspects of his business, Carl said: "Pageantry is a wonderful training ground. Young people overcome their fear of the stage and public speaking at an early age. They learn how to speak and speak successfully and directly, without rambling. They learn to formulate an answer to an abstract question. This is a great experience when it comes to a job interview later on. Sometimes models on our fashion shoot will say, 'Wow, this is tougher than I thought. Having a makeup call at 3am and having my hair done three times a day was not what I expected. Maybe I would prefer to do something behind the camera. Or, they say, 'Wow, this is more than I had dreamed of. I really want to pursue this.' It is a reality check."
We have all heard the horror stories of showbiz moms. Pageantry has its share. I asked Carl about mothers who pushed their children into the business. He said: "We have heard about the model mom and the pageant mom, and the soccer dad, and the baseball dad who beat up the referee. There are parents who want to live through their children. They go from event to event to event really pushing their children who are not enjoying it. It is heartbreaking to see a child who is not having a good time. These parents are the minority and they weed themselves out quickly. Also, a qualified judge or scout knows immediately when it is the child's goal and when it is the parents"
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